Using genome conservation between Lotus japonicus and agronomically important Lotus species for discovering drought tolerance QTLs

Lotus tenuis is a perennial forage legume species closely related to the model legume L. japonicus. Genetic relatedness between cultivated and model Lotus species has not been exploited so far. Furthermore, L. tenuis drought tolerance cultivars for marginal environments are in high demand. Marker-assisted selection is a modern breeding tool that allows to dissect genetically complex traits such as drought tolerance and to select for favorable...